The number 4

Why is 4 a special number in First Nations Culture?

Each of the four directions – North, South, East, West – brings gifts to people. We must recognize and honour their gifts.
In pipe ceremonies prayers are said to each of the four directions.
In the sweat lodge prayers are said to each of the four directions and the rocks are then sprinkled with water.
Fasting before ceremonies lasts four days.
A Sundance ceremony lasts four days and the host must have the Sundance four times.
There are four faces of the human being – child, adolescent, adult, elder.
There are four kinds of things that breathe – those that crawl, those that fly, those that are two-legged, those that are four-legged.
There are four things above the earth – sun, moon, stars, planets.
There are four parts to green things – roots, stems, leaves, fruit.
There are four steps to learning – listening, observing, participating, teaching.